Pimpmaro and I went to the World Challenge race at Mid Ohio on Sat to watch the LG crew do what they do best. It was a great race (with 2 caution periods) and Lou came home in 4th place (ahead of Angelleli in one of those pesky Caddys, which Lou passed on lap #2 and kept in his mirrors for the rest of the race ).

We stopped by the pits (Louis told me that I better show up ) to meet the guys and watch Louis demonstrate the proper way to pull a camshaft in 59 minutes or less (an amazing display, he's good ) for the mandatory teardown. Lou insisted on feeding us some of the best Italian food I've ever had (these guys don't mess around, they were making food by the ton and all of it was excellent). And it was like meeting up with a group of old friends.

Thanks Lou and crew for your hospitality and allowing us to share the post race festivities with you. We're thinking of coming up to Cleveland for the next one (depending on my schedule). Keep us posted on the buildup of that new project you picked up at Mid Ohio!

:drive:

I sure wish there was a place worthy enough in Texas for the WC to come to! Sure would be fun to watch them run.

Good job Lou, Louis and everyone else!

I have yet to attend a gathering where Lou, Louis and company were there and NOT feel welcome.

Some how they find the time to talk, answer questions and make you feel like there is no other person they would rather be talking to at that time. It's probably the single reason why I recommend LGM so often.

Other shops I talk with make me feel like I'm putting them out by asking specific questions.

I just can't plunk down 100s of dollars without knowing and understanding the particulars of why one part is better than another ... and I'm not talking "opinion" ... facts that have been gathered for decades racing heavy, live axle cars.

Lou and Louis, a big thanks from me as well. It was an incredible experience to not only be able to feel as welcome in the pits as we were, but also to share in the excitement of watching a driver and team who's name feels like such a part of the GM performance community. Over the past three years that I've owned my Z28 and have been a member of LS1Tech before spreading out, I've become very familiar with the LG name. I've found that there are a few shops in the community that are well known by reputation and you guys have far surpassed any expectations I had.

The eggplant parmisian was excellent, as was the pasta. I'm guessing the sauce was homemade? The car was beautiful, the race was exciting, and the hopsitality was second to none. I don't know if Kevin's going to be able to go or not, but as near as I can tell, I'll be going to Cleveland. I've got family there and it seeing them makes a great excuse for going to the race. Have fun with that new project... I can't wait to see how it turns out.

What's this project you guys are talking about? I'm hoping to see those guys at Limerock in a few months.

It "was" a C5. It is a chassis (bare, really bare as in steel tubing and suspension cradles, no roof, that's it) and a stack of really cool carbon fiber goodies. It looks to be a race car starter set.

One thing I almost forgot.

I'm standing in the pits waiting on the LG crew to return from impound and a woman and a rather "distressed" gentleman come running out of the Volvo trailer next to LG's pit. They are frantically trying to dial a cell phone (no service). About this time, the gentleman (wearing only a nomex shirt and his underwear) asks if anyone has a phone. I say sure, what do you need. With that he askes if I can read the phone number on the screen of his phone (my polarized prescription sunglasses made that difficult). So, he flags down another person in the pits and asks "young man, can you read that number?". They call off the number to me, I dial and hand the phone to the guy in Nomex. About the third ring, he's starting to get excited "Bloody answer the phone, Bob". Bob answers and he advises him that he is leaving the track with his luggage (which would explain the outfit, or lack thereof). Bob pledges to return and I realize that the person in the nomex is none other than Derek Bell, one of the Volvo drivers and an occasional speed announcer. Upon completion of the call, he thanked me for my assistance and then apologized to everyone in the pits saying "Sorry for the show everyone", waved and went back into the trailer. He seems like a pleasant gentleman, but I might think he'd have been more inclined to chat with us if Bob hadn't taken off with his bag. You meet the most interesting people, under the most incredibly odd circumstances when you hang out at the track.

Sounds like a great weekend. Yep... too bad us in Texas don't even get to see Lou race.....but do get the occasional chance to try and keep up with him on the local road courses in his street car and watch him practice his WC car.